Method for controlling power transmitting device, method for detecting foreign object, and power transmitting device in wireless power transmission system

ABSTRACT

A method for controlling a power transmitting device is a method for detecting a metal foreign object by controlling the power transmitting device including a power transmitting coil that outputs power to a power receiving coil and a thermal sensor that measures a surface temperature of the metal foreign object on the power transmitting coil. The method includes causing the power transmitting coil to output the power before the coils are electromagnetically coupled with each other and a mobile object including the power receiving coil overlaps the power transmitting coil, causing the thermal sensor to measure the surface temperature of the metal foreign object, and transmitting, if the measured surface temperature of the metal foreign object is equal to or higher than a threshold, a signal indicating presence of the metal foreign object to another receiving apparatus, other than the power transmitting device, having a function of receiving the signal.

BACKGROUND 1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a method for controlling a powertransmitting device, a method for detecting a foreign object, and thepower transmitting device in a wireless power transmission system.

2. Description of the Related Art

A wireless power transmission system used for a mobile object such as avehicle electromagnetically couples a power transmitting coil includedin a power transmitting device and a power receiving coil included in apower receiving device with each other and transmits power from thepower transmitting coil to the power receiving coil. If there is a metalforeign object such as an empty can or a coin between the powertransmitting coil and the power receiving coil, the surface temperatureof the metal foreign object increases due to a magnetic field generatedby the power transmitting coil during power transmission, which causes asafety concern. In addition, when there is a metal foreign objectbetween the coils, normal wireless charging might not be performed.Various techniques for detecting a metal foreign object have beenproposed.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2013-192411discloses a method in which a camera is provided on a bottom surface ofa vehicle and the camera detects a metal foreign object with a powertransmitting coil and a power receiving coil facing each other. If it isdetermined that there is a metal foreign object between the powertransmitting coil and the power receiving coil, the power transmittingcoil stops outputting power to the power receiving coil.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2001-275280discloses a method in which a power receiving terminal transmits, to amain device, information obtained by a secondary voltage detection unitand a secondary current detection unit provided therefor and the maindevice controls supply of power to the power receiving terminal bydetermining, on the basis of the information, whether a primary currentto a power transmitting oscillation unit is excessive. With this method,even if there is a metal foreign object between a power transmittingside and a power receiving side, an operation for transmitting power canbe stopped before the metal foreign object is heated.

SUMMARY

With the methods disclosed in the examples of the related art, a metalforeign object is detected with a power transmitting coil and a powerreceiving coil facing each other. In such a system, however, a vehicleneeds to be moved from a parking position, for example, in order toremove a metal foreign object under the vehicle. One non-limiting andexemplary embodiment provides a novel method that can solve thisproblem.

In one general aspect, the techniques disclosed here feature a methodfor detecting a foreign object used to detect a metal foreign objectusing a power transmission device.

The power transmission device includes

an inverter that generates power;

a power transmitting coil for outputting power to a power receiving coilincluded in a mobile object;

a thermal sensor that measures a surface temperature of the metalforeign object on the power transmitting coil; and

a power transmission control circuitry that causes the inverter tocontrols the power output from the power transmitting coil.

The method comprises causing the power transmission control circuitryto:

cause the power transmitting coil to output the power before the powerreceiving coil and the power transmitting coil are electromagneticallycoupled with each other and the mobile object overlaps the powertransmitting coil;

cause the thermal sensor to measure the surface temperature of the metalforeign object; and

transmit, if the measured surface temperature of the metal foreignobject is equal to or higher than a threshold, a signal indicatingpresence of the metal foreign object from the power transmitting deviceto another receiving apparatus, other than the power transmittingdevice, having a function of receiving the signal.

In another aspect, the techniques disclosed here feature a method fordetecting and removing a metal foreign object using a power transmissiondevice.

The power transmission device includes

an inverter that generates power;

a power transmitting coil for outputting power to a power receiving coilincluded in a mobile object;

a thermal sensor that detects a surface temperature of the metal foreignobject on the power transmitting coil;

a foreign object removal mechanism; and

a power transmission control circuitry that causes the inverter tocontrols the power output from the power transmitting coil;

The method comprising causing the power transmission control circuitryto:

cause the power transmitting coil to output the power before the powerreceiving coil and the power transmitting coil are electromagneticallycoupled with each other and the mobile object overlaps the powertransmitting coil;

cause the thermal sensor to measure the surface temperature of the metalforeign object; and

causing, if the measured surface temperature of the metal foreign objectis equal to or higher than a threshold, the foreign object removalmechanism to perform an operation for removing a foreign object.

It should be noted that general or specific embodiments may beimplemented as a system, a method, an integrated circuit, a computerprogram, a storage medium, or any selective combination thereof.

According to the aspect of the present disclosure, a metal foreignobject around a power transmitting coil can be detected before a powerreceiving coil and the power transmitting coil are electromagneticallycoupled with each other and a mobile object including the powerreceiving coil overlaps the power transmitting coil. As a result, themetal foreign object can be promptly removed, and non-contact powertransmission can start normally and promptly.

Additional benefits and advantages of the disclosed embodiments willbecome apparent from the specification and drawings. The benefits and/oradvantages may be individually obtained by the various embodiments andfeatures of the specification and drawings, which need not all beprovided in order to obtain one or more of such benefits and/oradvantages.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of a wirelesspower transmission system that wirelessly supplies power to a mobileobject;

FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a situation in which there is a metalforeign object on a power transmitting coil;

FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a situation in which the mobile objectoverlaps the power transmitting coil;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a basic operation performed by apower transmitting device in a certain aspect;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a basic operation performed by thepower transmitting device in another aspect;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation forremoving a metal foreign object performed by a foreign object removalmechanism included in at least either the power transmitting device orthe mobile object;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view schematically illustrating theconfiguration of a wireless power transmission system according to afirst exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the wirelesspower transmission system according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a basic procedure of an operationperformed by a power transmission control circuitry;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a more detailed example of theoperation performed by the power transmission control circuitry;

FIG. 11A is a diagram illustrating an example of equivalent circuits ofa power transmitting coil and a power receiving coil;

FIG. 11B is a diagram illustrating another example of equivalentcircuits of the power transmitting coil and the power receiving coil;

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating variations of the arrangement of thepower transmitting coil;

FIG. 13A illustrates an example in which the power transmitting coil isarranged along a road surface;

FIG. 13B illustrates an example in which the power transmitting coil isarranged on a wall surface perpendicular to the road surface;

FIG. 14 is a diagram schematically illustrating another example of thepower transmitting coil and the power receiving coil;

FIG. 15A illustrates an example of the configuration of a full-bridgeinverter circuit;

FIG. 15B illustrates an example of the configuration of a half-bridgeinverter circuit;

FIG. 16A is a schematic diagram illustrating the wireless powertransmission system in an example viewed from a side of the mobileobject;

FIG. 16B is a schematic diagram illustrating the wireless powertransmission system in the example viewed from a front of the mobileobject;

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of the application of thewireless power transmission system according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 18A is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of awireless power transmission system according to a second exemplaryembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 18B is a flowchart illustrating a basic operation performed by apower transmission control circuitry according to the second embodiment;

FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating images of a procedure for checking aposition of a metal foreign object on a power transmitting coil on adisplay and removing the metal foreign object;

FIG. 20 is a flowchart illustrating another example of the operationaccording to the second embodiment;

FIG. 21 is a flowchart illustrating yet another example of the operationaccording to the second embodiment;

FIG. 22 is a flowchart illustrating yet another example of the operationaccording to the second embodiment;

FIG. 23 is a flowchart illustrating yet another example of the operationaccording to the second embodiment;

FIG. 24 is a flowchart illustrating yet another example of the operationaccording to the second embodiment;

FIG. 25 is a flowchart illustrating yet another example of the operationaccording to the second embodiment;

FIG. 26 is a flowchart illustrating yet another example of the operationaccording to the second embodiment;

FIG. 27 is a flowchart illustrating yet another example of the operationaccording to the second embodiment;

FIG. 28 is a flowchart illustrating yet another example of the operationaccording to the second embodiment;

FIG. 29 is a flowchart illustrating yet another example of the operationaccording to the second embodiment; and

FIG. 30 is a flowchart illustrating yet another example of the operationaccording to the second embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Underlying Knowledge Forming Basis of the PresentDisclosure

Underlying knowledge forming a basis of the present disclosure will bedescribed before describing embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of a wirelesspower transmission system that wirelessly supplies power to a mobileobject 200. In this wireless power transmission system, a powertransmitting coil 110 arranged along a road surface wirelessly transmitspower to a power receiving coil 210 arranged on a bottom surface of themobile object 200. In this example, the mobile object 200 is a vehicledriven by an electric motor. The mobile object 200 can be a vehicle suchas a bus, an automobile, a train, or an automated guided vehicle (AGV),but may be a mobile object other than a vehicle.

FIG. 1 illustrates XYZ coordinates indicating X, Y, and Z directionsperpendicular to one another. In the following description, the XYZcoordinates illustrated in FIG. 1 will be used. The Y direction is atraveling direction of the mobile object 200, the Z direction isperpendicular to the road surface, and the X direction is perpendicularto the Y and Z directions. Directions of structures illustrated in thedrawings of the present disclosure are determined in consideration ofthe simplicity of description, and do not limit directions used when theembodiments of the present disclosure are actually implemented. Inaddition, shapes and sizes of some or all of the structures illustratedin the drawings do not limit actual shapes and sizes.

The wireless power transmission system includes a power transmittingdevice and a power receiving device. The power transmitting deviceincludes a power transmitting circuit 120 that converts power suppliedfrom an external power supply 300 into alternating current power havinga frequency and a voltage suitable for power transmission and thatoutputs the alternating current power, the power transmitting coil 110connected to the power transmitting circuit 120, and a thermal sensor130 (refer to FIG. 3), which will be described later. The powertransmitting circuit 120 includes components such as an inverter circuitand a power transmission control circuitry, which are not illustrated.The power transmitting circuit 120 and the power supply 300 can beburied under the road surface. The power receiving device is providedfor the mobile object 200. The power receiving device includescomponents such as a rectifier circuit and a power reception controlcircuitry, which are not illustrated, as well as the power receivingcoil 210.

In the wireless power transmission system, power transmission startsafter the mobile object 200 moves into a power transmission area 105 inwhich the power transmitting coil 110 can be electromagnetically coupledwith the power receiving coil 210 and the power transmitting coil 110and the power receiving coil 210 face each other. The power transmissioncontrol circuitry included in the power transmitting circuit 120 causesthe inverter to generate high-frequency alternating current power, forexample, and controls to output the power from the inverter to the powertransmitting coil 110. Namely, the power transmission control circuitrycauses the inverter to controls the AC power output from the powertransmitting coil.

The power transmitting coil 110 generates a magnetic field therearoundwith the supplied alternating current power. The AC power may be simplyreferred to as power. The power receiving coil 210 iselectromagnetically coupled with the power transmitting coil 110 throughthe magnetic field and receives at least a part of the transmitted power(energy). The power receiving coil 210 supplies the received power to aload (a secondary battery, etc.) of the mobile object 200 through therectifier circuit, which is not illustrated. The charging of the mobileobject 200 is thus performed.

If there is a metal foreign object 400 on or around the powertransmitting coil 110, however, the metal foreign object 400 is heatedduring power transmission, which causes a safety concern. Varioustechniques for detecting such a metal foreign object before or duringpower transmission and preventing heating have been proposed.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2013-192411, forexample, discloses a system for detecting a metal foreign object using acamera mounted on a bottom surface of a vehicle. In this technique, thecamera captures an image of a metal foreign object detection area on anexternal coil in accordance with a request to start non-contact powertransmission. If it is determined on the basis of the captured imagethat there is no metal foreign object, whether there is a metal foreignobject in the metal foreign object detection area is determined duringthe non-contact power transmission on the basis of a temperaturemeasured by a temperature sensor. In addition, Japanese UnexaminedPatent Application Publication No. 2001-275280 discloses a method inwhich a power receiving terminal transmits information obtained by asecondary voltage detection unit and a secondary current detection unitprovided therefor to a main device and the main device controls supplyof power to the power receiving terminal by determining whether aprimary current to a power transmitting oscillation unit is excessive.With this method, even if there is a metal foreign object between apower transmitting side and a power receiving side, an operation fortransmitting power can be stopped before the metal foreign object isabnormally heated. In addition to these techniques, there is a methodfor detecting a metal foreign object by detecting an increase in a powertransmission loss.

In these techniques in the examples of the related art, however, a metalforeign object can be detected only when the power transmitting coil andthe power receiving coil face each other. That is, a metal foreignobject is detected with the vehicle located on the power transmissioncoil. It is therefore difficult to remove a metal foreign object withoutmoving the vehicle. In addition, in a system that detects a metalforeign object using a camera as in Japanese Unexamined PatentApplication Publication No. 2013-192411, it might be difficult todetermine whether a foreign object on the power transmission coil is,say, a copper coin or mud. In addition, it might be difficult for acommon camera to detect a metal foreign object when the metal foreignobject is covered by dirt or the like.

The present inventors have identified the above problems and examinedconfigurations for solving these problems. The present inventors havethen found that a metal foreign object can be detected by performingpreliminary power transmission for detecting a metal foreign objectbefore a mobile object reaches a power transmission coil and measuringthe temperature of the power transmission coil and temperature aroundthe power transmission coil using a thermal sensor. If a metal foreignobject is detected, the metal foreign object can be removed safely andeasily by stopping outputting power from the power transmission coil,reducing output power, transmitting a signal indicating the presence ofthe metal foreign object to an external apparatus, or causing the powertransmitting device to perform an operation for removing a foreignobject.

The present inventors have conceived the following aspects of thepresent disclosure on the basis of the above examination.

A method for controlling a power transmitting device according to anaspect of the present disclosure is a method for detecting a metalforeign object using a power transmission device, the power transmissiondevice including:

an inverter that generates power;

a power transmitting coil for outputting power to a power receiving coilincluded in a mobile object;

a thermal sensor that measures a surface temperature of the metalforeign object on the power transmitting coil; and

a power transmission control circuitry that causes the inverter tocontrols the power output from the power transmitting coil;

the method comprising causing the power transmission control circuitryto:

cause the power transmitting coil to output the power before the powerreceiving coil and the power transmitting coil are electromagneticallycoupled with each other and the mobile object overlaps the powertransmitting coil;

cause the thermal sensor to measure the surface temperature of the metalforeign object; and

transmit, if the measured surface temperature of the metal foreignobject is equal to or higher than a threshold, a signal indicatingpresence of the metal foreign object from the power transmitting deviceto another receiving apparatus, other than the power transmittingdevice, having a function of receiving the signal.

According to the above aspect, the method includes

causing the power transmitting coil to output power before the powerreceiving coil and the power transmitting coil are electromagneticallycoupled with each other and a mobile object including the powerreceiving coil overlaps the power transmitting coil;

causing the thermal sensor to measure the surface temperature of themetal foreign object; and

causing, if the measured surface temperature of the metal foreign objectis equal to or higher than a threshold, the power transmitting coil toreduce the output power or stop outputting the power.

As a result, a metal foreign object can be detected before the mobileobject including the power receiving coil overlaps the powertransmitting coil. If a metal foreign object is detected, the powertransmitting coil is caused to reduce the output power or stopoutputting the power. An increase in the temperature of the metalforeign object, therefore, can be prevented. The metal foreign objectcan be especially easily removed if power transmission is stopped andthe mobile object is stopped before the mobile object overlaps the powertransmitting coil.

Foreign matter such as mud or tire tracks is usually left on a coverusually provided on a power transmitting coil, and it is difficult for acommon camera to determine whether there is a metal foreign object. Inaddition, at night or in other dark conditions, it is even moredifficult for a common camera to determine whether there is a metalforeign object. According to the above aspect of the present disclosure,the above problems can be solved since a metal foreign object can becertainly detected by intentionally increasing the surface temperatureof the metal foreign object.

First power output from the power transmitting coil in order to detect ametal foreign object and second power to be transmitted from the powertransmitting coil to the power receiving coil may be different from eachother. In an example, the first power is set smaller than the secondpower. In a system used to charge a small device such as a mobileterminal, power output from a power transmitting coil is only severalwatts, and a metal foreign object is not abnormally heated even if thepower output from the power transmitting coil and power for detecting ametal foreign object are the same. In a system in which a powertransmitting coil outputs large power (e.g., several kilowatts tohundreds of kilowatts), such as a system that supplies power to avehicle, however, the temperature of a metal foreign object sharplyincreases, which is extremely dangerous. It is therefore effective toset the first power for detecting a metal foreign object smaller thanthe second power to be transmitted. As a result, the temperature of ametal foreign object does not sharply increase when the metal foreignobject is detected. The first power can be set, for example, smallerthan one-tenth of the second power. In another example, the first powercan be set one-hundredth of the second power.

In general, how much a metal foreign object is heated depends on thematerial and shape of the metal foreign object and the frequency ofpower transmitted from the power transmitting coil 110 to the powerreceiving coil 210. The frequency of the first power and the frequencyof the second power are preferably the same. In this case, since a metalforeign object is heated by the first power having the same frequency asthe second power before the power transmitting coil 110 transmits thesecond power to the power receiving coil 210, how much the metal foreignobject is heated by the second power can be predicted. When the firstpower is as large as the second power, too, the frequency of the firstpower and the frequency of the second power are preferably the same.

A “mobile object” herein is not limited to a vehicle but refers to anymobile object driven by electricity. Mobile objects include, forexample, an electric vehicle (EV) including an electric motor and one ormore wheels. Such a vehicle can be an AGV such as a carrier robot, anEV, or an electric cart. A “mobile object” herein can also be a mobileobject without wheels. Such mobile objects include, for example, a bipedrobot, an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV; a so-called “drone”) such as amulticopter, and a manned electric aircraft.

A “metal foreign object on a power transmitting coil” herein refers to ametal foreign object at a position at which the metal foreign object canbe heated by a magnetic field generated by the power transmitting coil.FIG. 2, for example, illustrates an example of a situation in whichthere is a metal foreign object 400 on a power transmitting coil 110. Inthe example illustrated in FIG. 2, the power transmitting coil 110 isburied under a road surface, and the metal foreign object 400 is locatedon the road surface. Arrows in FIG. 2 schematically indicate two linesof magnetic force. Even when the metal foreign object 400 is not locateddirectly above the power transmitting coil 110 as in this example, themetal foreign object 400 can be heated by a magnetic field generated bythe power transmitting coil 110. An area in which the metal foreignobject 400 can be heated expands as output power becomes larger. In thefollowing description, the metal foreign object 400 is regarded as beinglocated on the power transmitting coil 110 insofar as the surfacetemperature of the metal foreign object 400 increases, even if the metalforeign object 400 is not located directly above the power transmittingcoil 110. If there is a metal foreign object 400, an area in which thesurface temperature of the metal foreign object 400 increases will bereferred to as a “target area”.

“A mobile object including a power receiving coil overlaps a powertransmitting coil” means that at least a part of a mobile objectincluding a power receiving coil is included in an area facing an areain which a power transmitting coil is provided. When the powertransmitting coil is a planar coil and arranged along a flat surfacesuch as a road surface or a wall surface, for example, the mobile objectincluding the power receiving coil is regarded as overlapping the powertransmitting coil if the mobile object overlaps the power transmittingcoil when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the flat surface.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a situation in which the mobile object200 overlaps the power transmitting coil 110. In this example, a part (afront end of a vehicle body) of the mobile object 200 is located in anarea facing an area in which the power transmitting coil 110 isarranged. In this state, the power receiving coil 210 does not overlapthe power transmitting coil 110, but the mobile object 200 overlaps thepower transmitting coil 110. In an embodiment of the present disclosure,the power transmitting device intentionally heats the metal foreignobject 400 and the thermal sensor 130 detects the metal foreign object400 before this state is established. If the metal foreign object 400 isdetected, the power transmitting device stops outputting power from thepower transmitting coil 110 or reduces output power. As a result, themetal foreign object 400 can be removed safely and easily.

Whether the mobile object 200 overlaps the power transmitting coil 110can be determined using the thermal sensor 130 or another positionsensor. In the example illustrated in FIG. 3, the thermal sensor 130detects not only the metal foreign object 400 but also a position of themobile object 200. The thermal sensor 130 can be an image sensor thatcaptures an infrared image around the power transmitting coil 110.Presence or absence of the metal foreign object 400 and the position ofthe mobile object 200 can be detected from the infrared image. The powertransmitting device may also include a position sensor that detects theposition of the mobile object 200 as well as the thermal sensor 130. Theposition sensor can be a visible light camera, a distance measuringdevice that measures a distance between the power transmitting coil 110and the mobile object 200, or a sensor employing a global positioningsystem (GPS). Such a sensor is arranged at a position from which thesensor can accurately detect presence or absence of the metal foreignobject 400 and the position of the mobile object 200 relative to thepower transmitting coil 110.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a basic operation performed by thepower transmitting device in the above aspect. The operation isperformed by a power transmission control circuitry (included in thepower transmitting circuit 120) that controls the operation of the powertransmitting device. First, in step S101, the power transmission controlcircuitry causes the power transmitting coil to output power before themobile object overlaps the power transmitting coil.

An expression “the power transmitting coil is caused to output powerbefore the mobile object overlaps the power transmitting coil” hereinand in the drawings means, as described later, that the powertransmitting coil is caused to output power before the mobile objectincluding the power receiving coil reaches a position at which the powerreceiving coil and the power transmitting coil are electromagneticallycoupled with each other and the mobile object overlaps the powertransmitting coil. This expression may be used in another aspect.

Next, in step S102, the power transmission control circuitry causes thethermal sensor to measure the surface temperature of the metal foreignobject. The measurement can be performed, for example, on the basis oftemperature distribution in a target area around the power transmittingcoil. If a part of the target area in which temperature exceeds athreshold is detected, it is determined that there is a metal foreignobject in the part.

If it is determined in step S103 that the surface temperature of themetal foreign object is equal to or higher than the threshold, the powertransmission control circuitry, in step S104, reduces power output fromthe power transmitting coil or stops outputting power. As a result ofthe above operation, heating of a metal foreign object can be prevented.

If it is determined in step S103 that the surface temperature of themetal foreign object is lower than the threshold, the power transmissioncontrol circuitry executes the operation of step S104 after apredetermined time elapses. The predetermined time is, for example, thetime from when the power transmission control circuitry causes the powertransmission coil to output the AC power until the power transmissioncoil overlaps the mobile object.

Although it is determined that there is a metal foreign object if thesurface temperature of a metal foreign object is equal to or higher thana threshold in the above aspect, the following method may be used,instead. First, the power transmission control circuitry causes thethermal sensor to measure the surface temperature of the metal foreignobject before the mobile object approaches the power transmitting coil.The measured temperature will be referred to as a first measuredtemperature. Next, the power transmission circuit causes the powertransmitting coil to output power and the thermal sensor to measure thesurface temperature of the metal foreign object before the mobile objectincluding the power receiving coil overlaps the power transmitting coil.The measured temperature will be referred to as a second measuredtemperature. if a difference between the first measured temperature andthe second measured temperature is equal to or larger than a threshold,the power transmission control circuitry may determine that there is ametal foreign object.

In another general aspect, the techniques disclosed here feature amethod for detecting a foreign object used to detect a metal foreignobject using a power transmission device.

The power transmission device includes

an inverter that generates power;

a power transmitting coil for outputting power to a power receiving coilincluded in a mobile object;

a thermal sensor that measures a surface temperature of the metalforeign object on the power transmitting coil; and

a power transmission control circuitry that causes the inverter tocontrols the power output from the power transmitting coil.

The method comprises causing the power transmission control circuitryto:

cause the power transmitting coil to output the power before the powerreceiving coil and the power transmitting coil are electromagneticallycoupled with each other and the mobile object overlaps the powertransmitting coil;

cause the thermal sensor to measure the surface temperature of the metalforeign object; and

transmit, if the measured surface temperature of the metal foreignobject is equal to or higher than a threshold, a signal indicatingpresence of the metal foreign object from the power transmitting deviceto another receiving apparatus, other than the power transmittingdevice, having a function of receiving the signal.

According to the above aspect, in the method, if the measured surfacetemperature of the metal foreign object is equal to or higher than thethreshold, the signal indicating the presence of the metal foreignobject is transmitted to the other receiving apparatus, other than thepower transmitting device, having the function of receiving the signal.“Another receiving apparatus having a function of receiving the signal”may be referred to as “another device” herein and in the drawings.

As a result, if a metal foreign object is detected, a person concernedcan be notified of the presence of the metal foreign object through theother device. The other device to which a signal indicating the presenceof a metal foreign object is transmitted can be an information deviceinstalled in the mobile object, an information device carried by a userof the mobile object or a caretaker, or a control device that controlsthe power transmitting device. The other device can be, for example, anautomotive navigation system, a smartphone, a tablet computer, a mobileobject (e.g., a vehicle or a robot), or a computer (or a controller)mounted on a control device that controls the power transmitting device.The user of the mobile object or the caretaker can notice the presenceof the metal foreign object on the basis of the transmitted signal andpromptly remove the metal foreign object. When the power transmittingdevice is installed in a parking lot and controlled by a system in acaretaker's room or a central monitoring room, for example, the otherdevice can be a control device (controller) of the system. The caretakerof the power transmitting device can notice the presence of the metalforeign object on the basis of the transmitted signal and have asanitation worker remove the metal foreign object.

The signal indicating the presence of the metal foreign object mayinclude information indicating a position of the metal foreign object onthe power transmitting coil as well as information indicating presenceor absence of a metal foreign object. The position of the metal foreignobject can be measured by a thermal sensor or another sensor. If thepower transmission control circuitry of the power transmitting devicedetects a metal foreign object, the power transmission control circuitrymay transmit, to the other device such as a smartphone, informationindicating a relative positional relationship between the powertransmitting coil and the metal foreign object. The apparatus that hasreceived the information may display, on a display, an image indicatingthe relative positional relationship between the power transmitting coiland the metal foreign object. According to this aspect, a personconcerned can easily identify the position of the metal foreign objecton the basis of the displayed image and promptly remove the detectedmetal foreign object.

That is, in the method according to the above aspect, if the measuredsurface temperature of the metal foreign object is equal to or higherthan the threshold, the power transmitting device transmits the signalindicating the presence of the metal foreign object to the otherreceiving apparatus, other than the power transmitting device, havingthe function of receiving the signal. The method is performed, forexample, by the power transmission control circuitry of the powertransmitting device. The method is performed, for example, by the powertransmission control circuitry of the power transmitting device includedin the wireless power transmission system. The method may be used inanother aspect.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a basic operation performed by thepower transmitting device according to the present aspect. The operationis performed by the power transmission control circuitry that controlsthe operation of the power transmitting device. Steps S111 to S113 arethe same as steps S101 to S103, respectively, illustrated in FIG. 4. Inthe example illustrated in FIG. 5, if determining that there is a metalforeign object, the power transmission control circuitry transmits asignal indicating the presence of the metal foreign object to the otherdevice other than the power transmitting device (step S114).

As a result, a person concerned is notified of the presence of the metalforeign object through the other device that has received the signal,and the metal foreign object can be promptly removed.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 5, the operation for stoppingoutputting power or reducing output power in step S104 illustrated inFIG. 4 may be performed. In this case, both an effect of suppressingheating of a metal foreign object and an effect of notifying a personconcerned of presence of a metal foreign object can be produced.

In the embodiments of the present disclosure, a detected foreign objectmay be removed by a foreign object removal mechanism provided for atleast either the power transmitting device or the mobile object. Theforeign object removal mechanism refers to any mechanism capable ofremoving a foreign object around the power transmitting coil. A foreignobject can be a foreign object containing metal or a foreign object thatdoes not contain metal. A foreign object containing metal will bereferred to as a metal foreign object. The power transmitting device caninclude a foreign object removal mechanism that lifts a part of thecover of the power transmitting coil to slide off a foreign object.Another example of the foreign object removal mechanism is a mechanismthat sweeps away a foreign object with a wiper or a brash provided onthe bottom surface of the mobile object (e.g., a vehicle) or for thepower transmitting device. In addition, a mechanism that blows away aforeign object by outputting a strong wind using a compressor or amechanism that sucks in a foreign object with strong suction can be usedas the foreign object removal mechanism. Examples of the foreign objectremoval mechanism are disclosed in Japanese Unexamined PatentApplication Publication No. 2013-48511 and Japanese Unexamined PatentApplication Publication No. 2013-59239 (or U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2014/239735). The entire contents of these examples ofthe related art are incorporated herein by reference.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation forremoving a metal foreign object performed by the foreign object removalmechanism included in at least either the power transmitting device orthe mobile object. Steps S121 to S123 illustrated in FIG. 6 are the sameas steps S101 to S103, respectively, illustrated in FIG. 4. In theexample illustrated in FIG. 6, if a metal foreign object is detected,the power transmission control circuitry causes the foreign objectremoval mechanism of the power transmitting device and/or the foreignobject removal mechanism of the mobile object to perform the operationfor removing a foreign object (step S124). As a result, the metalforeign object can be promptly removed.

More specific embodiments of the present disclosure will be describedhereinafter. Unnecessarily detailed description, however, might beomitted. For example, detailed description of well-known elements andredundant description of substantially the same components might beomitted in order to avoid redundancy and facilitate understanding. Thepresent inventors provide the following description and the accompanyingdrawings in order for those skilled in the art to fully understand thepresent disclosure, not in order to limit a subject matter described inthe claims. In the following description, the same or similar componentsare given the same reference numerals.

First Embodiment

FIG. 7 is a perspective view schematically illustrating theconfiguration of a wireless power transmission system according to afirst exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The wireless powertransmission system is used to supply power to an electric car, forexample, on a road or in a parking lot. The wireless power transmissionsystem includes a power transmitting device and a mobile object 200. Thepower transmitting device includes a power transmitting circuit 120, apower transmitting coil 110, a thermal sensor 130, and a position sensor140. In the present embodiment, the thermal sensor 130 and the positionsensor 140 are arranged above a power transmission area 105 (under aroof). The thermal sensor 130 and the power transmitting circuit 120,and the position sensor 140 and the power transmitting circuit 120, arewirelessly connected to each other. The power transmitting device canthus be an aggregation of a plurality of spatially separate components.Alternatively, the thermal sensor 130 and the power transmitting circuit120, and the position sensor 140 and the power transmitting circuit 120,may be connected by wire.

The mobile object 200 is a vehicle such as a bus, for example, andincludes a power receiving coil 210 on a bottom surface thereof.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the wirelesspower transmission system according to the present embodiment. A powertransmitting device 100 includes a communication circuit 170 as well asthe power transmitting coil 110, the power transmitting circuit 120, thethermal sensor 130, and the position sensor 140. The power transmittingcircuit 120 includes an inverter circuit 160 and a power transmissioncontrol circuitry 150. The inverter circuit 160 is connected between anexternal power supply 300 and the power transmitting coil 110. Theinverter circuit 160 converts direct current power supplied from thepower supply 300 into alternating current power and supplies thealternating current power to the power transmitting coil 110. The powertransmission control circuitry 150 controls the inverter circuit 160,the communication circuit 170, the thermal sensor 130, and the positionsensor 140. The power transmission control circuitry 150 controls on/offstates of a plurality of switching devices of the inverter circuit 160,for example, such that the inverter circuit 160 outputs alternatingcurrent power having a desired frequency and a desired voltage. Thecommunication circuit 170 communicates signals with a communicationcircuit 270 of the mobile object 200. The thermal sensor 130 detects ametal foreign object around the power transmitting coil 110. Theposition sensor 140 measures a position of a metal foreign object and aposition of the mobile object 200.

The mobile object 200 includes the power receiving coil 210, a rectifiercircuit 220, a power reception control circuitry 230, a secondarybattery 240, the communication circuit 270, an electric motor 260, and amotor inverter 250. The rectifier circuit 220, which is connected to thepower receiving coil 210, converts alternating current power output fromthe power receiving coil 210 into direct current power and outputs thedirect current power. The electric motor 260 drives the mobile object200 and is driven by three-phase alternating current power. The motorinverter 250 converts supplied direct current power into three-phasealternating current power and supplies the three-phase alternatingcurrent power to the electric motor 260. The power reception controlcircuitry 230 charges the secondary battery 240 with the direct currentpower output from the rectifier circuit 220 and controls the motorinverter 250 and the communication circuit 270.

Before the secondary battery 240 runs out, the mobile object 200according to the present embodiment approaches the power transmissionarea 105 in which the power transmitting coil 110 is arranged in orderto charge the secondary battery 240. If a metal foreign object 400 isnot detected around the power transmitting coil 110, the powertransmission control circuitry 150 drives the inverter circuit 160 totransmit power. Power transmitted through magnetic field couplingbetween the power transmitting coil 110 and the power receiving coil 210is stored in the secondary battery 240. After the secondary battery 240is charged, the mobile object 200 begins to run again by driving theelectric motor 260 using the power stored in the secondary battery 240.

If the metal foreign object 400 is located around the power transmittingcoil 110 as illustrated in FIG. 7, however, the metal foreign object 400is heated, which is dangerous. The power transmitting device 100according to the present embodiment, therefore, detects the metalforeign object 400 using the thermal sensor 130 before the mobile object200 reaches the power transmitting coil 110. After the metal foreignobject 400 is detected, the power transmitting coil 110 stops outputtingpower or reduces output power.

The thermal sensor 130 is achieved, for example, by the sameconfiguration as that of an infrared camera. The thermal sensor 130measures the temperature of a target area by detecting the amount ofinfrared light radiated from a target using, for example, one or aplurality of detectors having sensitivity to infrared light. Thismeasurement method used by the thermal sensor 130 is also called“infrared thermography”. If the thermal sensor 130 is a single detector(e.g., a photodiode), the thermal sensor 130 measures the entirety ofthe target. It is preferable that the thermal sensor 130 is achieved bya two-dimensional image sensor such as a charge-coupled device (CCD) ora complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS), because thetemperature distribution of the target can be measured in twodimensions.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 7, information regarding atemperature measured by the thermal sensor 130 is wirelessly transmittedto the power transmission control circuitry 150.

In the present embodiment, the position sensor 140 is provided inaddition to the thermal sensor 130. The position sensor 140 measures theposition of the mobile object 200 using light, radio waves, pressure,sound waves, or the like. The position sensor 140 may be a distancemeasuring device such as a common image sensor or a time-of-flight (TOF)sensor. The position sensor 140 may be a pressure-sensitive sensor. Sucha pressure-sensitive sensor can be arranged along a route of the mobileobject 200. Although the position sensor 140 is arranged independentlyof the thermal sensor 130 in the present embodiment, the position sensor140 and the thermal sensor 130 may be achieved by a single sensor,instead. For example, the thermal sensor 130 may have the function ofthe position sensor 140.

The operation according to the present embodiment will be described inmore detail hereinafter with reference to FIG. 9.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a basic procedure of an operationperformed by the power transmission control circuitry 150. Before themobile object 200 overlaps the power transmitting coil 110, the powertransmission control circuitry 150 causes the power transmitting coil110 to output small power (first power) (step S151). Next, the powertransmission control circuitry 150 causes the thermal sensor 130 tomeasure the temperature of a target area including the powertransmitting coil 110 (step S152). Step S152 is the same operation asStep 102, illustrated in FIG. 4. If there is a part of the target areain which temperature is equal to or higher than a certain threshold, itcan be determined that there is a metal foreign object 400 in that part(step S153). The threshold can be set at a value equal to or higher than50° C. but equal to or lower than 100° C. For example, the threshold canbe set at 60° C., 70° C., 80° C., or 90° C. Alternatively, presence orabsence of a metal foreign object 400 may be determined on the basis ofa change in surface temperature before and after power transmission. Inthis case, the amount of change (e.g., 10° C.) serves as the threshold.If determining that there is a metal foreign object 400, the powertransmission control circuitry 150 stops outputting the power (firstpower) from the power transmitting coil 110 or reduces the power outputfrom the power transmitting coil 110 by stopping controlling theinverter circuit 160 or changing timings of switching (step S154).

In step S151, whether the mobile object 200 overlaps the powertransmitting coil 110 is determined. The determination is made on thebasis of an output of the position sensor 140. The power transmissioncontrol circuitry 150 constantly monitors a relative positionalrelationship between the power transmitting coil 110 and the mobileobject 200 on the basis of the output of the position sensor 140. Ifdetermining that a distance between the mobile object 200 and the powertransmitting coil 110 has become smaller than a certain value, the powertransmission control circuitry 150 causes the inverter circuit 160output the first power from the power transmitting coil 110. As aresult, the thermal sensor 130 can detect the metal foreign object 400.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a more detailed example of theoperation performed by the power transmission control circuitry 150. Thepower transmission control circuitry 150 determines whether the mobileobject 200 overlaps the power transmitting coil 110 on the basis of theoutput of the position sensor 140 (step S200). The expression“determines whether the mobile object 200 overlaps the powertransmitting coil 110” means that whether the mobile object 200 overlapsthe power transmitting coil 110 before the power receiving coil 210 andthe power transmitting coil 110 are electromagnetically coupled witheach other is determined. If not, the power transmission controlcircuitry 150 cause the power transmitting coil 110 to output the firstpower as described above (step S201). Next, the power transmissioncontrol circuitry 150 causes the thermal sensor 130 to measure thetemperature of a target area of the power transmitting coil 110 (stepS202). The power transmission control circuitry 150 then determineswhether there is a part of the target area in which temperature is equalto or higher than the threshold (step S203). If so, the powertransmission control circuitry 150 stops outputting the first power fromthe power transmitting coil 110 or reduces the first power (step S204).If a result of the determination in step S203 is negative, the processreturns to step S200, and steps S200 to S203 are repeated until themobile object 200 including the power receiving coil 210 overlaps thepower transmitting coil 110 or until a metal foreign object 400 isdetected. A metal foreign object 400 may be detected regularly orirregularly.

If determining in step S200 that the mobile object 200 overlaps thepower transmitting coil 110, the power transmission control circuitry150 determines whether the power receiving coil 210 faces the powertransmitting coil 110 (step S210). If so, the power transmission controlcircuitry 150 causes the power transmitting coil 110 to output secondpower (step S211). Charging thus starts. As described above, the secondpower is larger than the first power for detecting a metal foreignobject 400. The second power can be set at a value, for example, ten ormore times larger than the first power, or one hundred or more timeslarger than the first power in some cases. The second power can be setwithin a range of several tens kilowatts to several hundreds ofkilowatts. The first power, on the other hand, can be set within a rangeof tens of watts to several kilowatts. After the charging is completedin step S212, the power transmission control circuitry 150 causes thepower transmitting coil 110 to stop outputting the second power bystopping controlling the inverter circuit 160 (step S213). As a resultof the above operation, the charging of the mobile object 200 iscompleted.

As described above, if the surface temperature of a metal foreign object400 detected by the thermal sensor 130 is equal to or higher than thethreshold, the power transmission control circuitry 150 causes the powertransmitting coil 110 to stop outputting power or reduce output power inthe present embodiment. In addition, if a metal foreign object 400 isnot detected and the mobile object 200 has moved to a position at whichthe power receiving coil 210 can be electromagnetically coupled with thepower transmitting coil 110, the power transmission control circuitry150 causes the power transmitting coil 110 to output the second power.As a result of this operation, a metal foreign object 400 can bedetected and safely removed before power is transmitted to the mobileobject 200.

That is, in a control method according to the present embodiment, apower transmitting coil is caused to output power before a mobile objectincluding a power receiving coil moves to a position at which the powerreceiving coil and the power transmitting coil can beelectromagnetically coupled with each other and the mobile objectoverlaps the power transmitting coil, and a thermal sensor is caused tomeasure a surface temperature of a metal foreign object, and

if the measured surface temperature of the metal foreign object is equalto or higher than a threshold, the power transmitting coil is caused toreduce output power or stop outputting power.

The control method is used, for example, by a power transmission controlcircuitry included in the power transmitting device. The control methodis used, for example, by the power transmission control circuitry of thepower transmitting device included in a wireless power transmissionsystem. The control method may be applied to another embodiment.

Next, the components according to the present embodiment will bedescribed in more detail.

FIG. 11A is a diagram illustrating an example of equivalent circuits ofthe power transmitting coil 110 and the power receiving coil 210. Asillustrated in FIG. 11A, the coils 110 and 120 function as resonantcircuits including an inductance component and a capacitance component.When resonant frequencies of the coils 110 and 120 are close to eachother, power can be efficiently transmitted. The inverter circuit 160supplies alternating current power to the power transmitting coil 110. Amagnetic field is generated by the power transmitting coil 110 due tothe alternating current power, and power is transmitted to the powerreceiving coil 210 through the magnetic field. In this example, both thepower transmitting coil 110 and the power receiving coil 210 function asa series resonant circuit.

FIG. 11B is a diagram illustrating another example of the equivalentcircuits of the power transmitting coil 110 and the power receiving coil210. In this example, the power transmitting coil 110 functions a seriesresonant circuit, and the power receiving coil 210 functions as aparallel resonant circuit. In a yet another example, the powertransmitting coil 110 can function as a parallel resonant circuit, andthe power receiving coil 210 can function as a series resonant circuit.

Each coil can be a planar coil or a multilayer coil or can be a windingcoil made of copper wire, Litz wire, twisted wire, or the like. Thecapacitance component of each resonant circuit may be achieved by theparasitic capacitance of a coil, or a capacitor having a chip shape or alead shape, for example, may be separately provided.

A resonant frequency f0 of each resonant circuit is set at atransmission frequency f for power transmission. The resonant frequencyf0 of each resonant circuit need not strictly match the transmissionfrequency f. The resonant frequency f0 of each resonant circuit may beset within a range of 50% to 150%, for example, of the transmissionfrequency f. The transmission frequency f can be set within a range of50 Hz to 300 GHz, preferably within a range of 20 kHz to 10 GHz, morepreferably within a range of 20 kHz to 20 MHz, even more preferablywithin a range of 20 kHz to 7 MHz.

Although resonant circuits are used in the present embodiment, aninductive coupling method that does not employ resonance or a methodemploying microwaves may be used, instead.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating variations of the arrangement of asurface (upper surface) of the power transmitting coil 110. FIG. 12illustrates three variations. In every variation, the power transmittingcoil 110 is covered by a cover member 112 made of, for example, resin.In the variation indicated by FIG. 12(a), the surface of the powertransmitting coil 110 is above a road surface. In the variationindicated by FIG. 12(b), the surface of the power transmitting coil 110is substantially aligned with the road surface. In the variationindicated by FIG. 12(c), the surface of the power transmitting coil 110is below the road surface. The surface of the power transmitting coil110 may be arranged in any of these manners. In addition, a surface ofthe cover member 112 made of resin may be arranged above or below theroad surface or may be substantially aligned with the road surface.

Although the power transmitting coil 110 is arranged along the roadsurface in the present embodiment, the power transmitting coil 110 maybe arranged along a surface (e.g., a wall surface) other than the roadsurface, instead.

FIGS. 13A and 13B are diagrams illustrating examples of the arrangementof the power transmitting coil 110 and the power receiving coil 210.FIG. 13A illustrates an example in which the power transmitting coil 110is arranged along the road surface. Such a configuration is suitablewhen, as in the present embodiment, power is supplied to a vehicle suchas an electric car including the power receiving coil 210 on a bottomsurface thereof. FIG. 13B illustrates an example in which the powertransmitting coil 110 is arranged on a wall surface that intersects(perpendicular in the illustrated example) with the road surface. Inthis example, the power receiving coil 210 can be provided on a surface(e.g., a side surface of the mobile object 200) that intersects with thewall surface. That is, the power transmitting coil 110 and the powerreceiving coil 210 need not be arranged parallel to the road surface.

FIG. 14 is a diagram schematically illustrating another example of thepower transmitting coil 110 and the power receiving coil 210. In thisexample, the power transmitting coil 110 and the power receiving coil210 are wires wound around magnetic members 190 and 290, respectively.The two magnetic members 190 and 290 have symmetric shapes, and surfacesof two ends of the magnetic members 190 and 290 face each other. Withthis configuration, too, power transmission employing inductive coupling(magnetic field coupling) can be performed. Alternatively, the twomagnetic members 190 and 290 may have asymmetric shapes.

FIGS. 15A and 15B are diagrams illustrating examples of theconfiguration of the inverter circuit 160. FIG. 15A illustrates anexample of the configuration of a full-bridge inverter circuit 160. Inthis example, the power transmission control circuitry 150 convertsinput direct current power into alternating current power having adesired frequency f and a desired voltage V (effective value) by turningon or off four switching elements S1 to S4 included in the invertercircuit 160. FIG. 15B illustrates an example of the configuration of ahalf-bridge inverter circuit 160. In this example, the powertransmission control circuitry 150 converts input direct current powerinto alternating current power having the desired frequency f and thedesired voltage V (effective value) by turning on or off two switchingelements S1 and S2 included in the inverter circuit 160. The invertercircuit 160 may have a configuration different from those illustrated inFIGS. 15A and 15B, instead. For example, a Class E resonant circuit maybe used.

The power transmission control circuitry 150 and the power receptioncontrol circuitry 230 can each be achieved by a circuit including aprocessor and a memory, such as a microcontroller unit (MCU). Byexecuting computer programs stored in the memory, various types ofcontrol can be performed. The power transmission control circuitry 150and the power reception control circuitry 230 may each be achieved bydedicated hardware configured to perform the operation according to thepresent embodiment.

The communication circuits 170 and 270 can communicate signals using,for example, a known wireless communication technique, opticalcommunication technique, or modulation technique (frequency modulation,amplitude modulation, etc.). The communication circuits 170 and 270 mayuse any communication method.

The electric motor 260 can be a motor driven by three-phase alternatingcurrent power, such as a permanent magnet synchronous motor or aninduction motor. The electric motor 260 may be a motor of another type,such as a direct current motor. In this case, a motor driving circuitaccording to the configuration of the electric motor 260 is used insteadof the motor inverter 250, which is a three-phase inverter circuit.

The power supply 300 can be any power supply that outputs direct currentpower. The power supply 300 may be any power supply such as a commercialpower supply, a primary battery, a secondary battery, a solar cell, afuel cell, a universal serial bus (USB) power supply, a high-capacitycapacitor (e.g., an electric double layer capacitor), or a voltageconverter connected to a commercial power supply.

The secondary battery 240 can be any secondary battery such as alithium-ion battery, a nickel-hydrogen battery, or a lead-based battery.A high-capacity capacitor (e.g., an electric double layer capacitor) maybe used instead of the secondary battery 240.

Next, an example of the arrangement of the thermal sensor 130 and theposition sensor 140 will be described with reference to FIGS. 16A and16B. FIG. 16A is a schematic diagram illustrating the wireless powertransmission system in an example viewed from a side of the mobileobject 200. FIG. 16B is a schematic diagram illustrating the wirelesspower transmission system in the example viewed from a front of themobile object 200. As illustrated in FIG. 16A, the thermal sensor 130and the position sensor 140 in this example are arranged ahead of thepower transmitting coil 110 in a traveling direction of the mobileobject 200. By arranging the thermal sensor 130 and the position sensor140 in this manner, the metal foreign object 400 and the mobile object200 can be detected until immediately before the mobile object 200overlaps the power transmitting coil 110. In addition, as illustrated inFIG. 16B, the thermal sensor 130 and the position sensor 140 (notillustrated) are arranged such that X-coordinates of the thermal sensor130 and the position sensor 140 substantially match the center of themobile object 200 or the center of the power transmitting coil 110. Suchan arrangement is desirable to measure the positions of the metalforeign object 400 and the mobile object 200 more accurately.

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of the application of thewireless power transmission system according to the present embodiment.In this example, the wireless power transmission system is used in amultistory parking garage. Thermal sensors 130 are provided on a ceilingof each floor of the multistory parking garage. Although not illustratedin FIG. 17, position sensors 140 are also provided on the ceiling ofeach floor. Power transmitting coils 110 are provided on a floor surfaceof each floor. Since the thermal sensors 130 and the position sensors140 are arranged above corresponding mobile objects 200, metal foreignobjects 400 and mobile object 200 can be easily detected. The wirelesspower transmission system according to the present embodiment issuitable for a roofed parking lot such as that illustrated in FIG. 17.

In FIG. 17, if the mobile object 200 is backed into a parking space, thethermal sensor 130 may be arranged behind the mobile object 200.

Second Embodiment

Next, a wireless power transmission system according to a secondexemplary embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. Thewireless power transmission system according to the present embodimentis different from that according to the first embodiment in that if ametal foreign object is detected, a device other than a powertransmitting device is notified of the presence of the metal foreignobject. As a result of this operation, a person concerned can benotified of the present of the metal foreign object, and the metalforeign object can be promptly removed. The present embodiment has alarge number of variations with respect to an operation performed afterthe other device is notified of the presence of the metal foreignobject. Major variations will be described hereinafter. In each of thefollowing examples of the present embodiment, outputting of power may bestopped or output power may be reduced as in the first embodiment if ametal foreign object is detected. The configuration of the powertransmitting device 100 and the mobile object 200 according to thepresent embodiment is basically the same as that according to the firstembodiment. In the present embodiment, however, at least either thepower transmitting device 100 or the mobile object 200 may include theabove-described foreign object removal mechanism. FIG. 18A is a diagramillustrating an example of such a configuration. In this example, thepower transmitting device 100 and the mobile object 200 include foreignobject removal mechanisms 180 and 280, respectively. As described above,the foreign object removal mechanisms 180 and 280 can employ variousconfigurations, and any configuration with which a foreign object can beremoved may be employed.

FIG. 18B is a flowchart illustrating a basic operation performed by thepower transmission control circuitry 150 according to the presentembodiment. Steps S301 to S303 are the same as steps S151 to S153,respectively, illustrated in FIG. 9. If a metal foreign object 400 isdetected in this example, the power transmission control circuitry 150,in step S304, transmits a signal indicating the presence or a positionof the metal foreign object 400 to a device other than the powertransmitting device 100. The thermal sensor 130 can identify theposition of the metal foreign object 400 on the power transmitting coil110 on the basis of measured temperature distribution. The other devicecan be, for example, a smartphone carried by a driver of the mobileobject 200 or an automotive navigation system installed in the mobileobject 200. The other device may be a server computer in a caretaker'sroom or a central monitoring room for managing the power transmittingdevice 100. The device that has received a signal indicating thepresence of the metal foreign object 400 displays an image indicatingthe presence of the metal foreign object 400, for example, on a display.As a result, the driver of the mobile object 200 or the caretaker of thepower transmitting device 100 (also referred to as a “person concerned”)can notice the presence of the metal foreign object 400 and remove themetal foreign object 400 himself/herself or have a worker remove themetal foreign object 400. Power transmission can then safely start.

FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating images of a procedure for checking theposition of the metal foreign object 400 on the power transmitting coil110 on the display and removing the metal foreign object 400. Asillustrated in FIG. 19, the display of the other device can displayimages with which a positional relationship between the powertransmitting device 100 and the metal foreign object 400 can beidentified. A person concerned can remove the metal foreign object 400on the basis of these images. FIG. 19 also illustrates a hand of aperson who is trying to remove the metal foreign object 400. Such a handmay or may not be displayed.

Because the surface temperature of the metal foreign object 400 can behigh, the metal foreign object 400 may be removed using a tool in orderto avoid a burn.

Next, an example will be described in which at least either the powertransmitting device 100 or the mobile object 200 performs an operationfor removing a foreign object. As described above, at least either thepower transmitting device 100 or the mobile object 200 can include aforeign object removal mechanism. If the surface temperature of themetal foreign object 400 measured by the thermal sensor 130 is equal toor higher than a threshold, the power transmission control circuitry 150of the power transmitting device 100 causes the foreign object removalmechanism of at least either the power transmitting device 100 or themobile object 200 to perform the operation for removing a foreignobject. A specific example will be described hereinafter.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart illustrating another example of the operationaccording to the present embodiment. In this example, the mobile object200 includes the foreign object removal mechanism and performs theoperation for removing the metal foreign object 400. When the mobileobject 200 approaches the power transmitting coil 110 (step S331), thepower transmitting device 100 turns on (step S332). The powertransmission control circuitry 150 causes the power transmitting coil110 to output power (step S333). Next, the power transmission controlcircuitry 150 measures the surface temperature of the metal foreignobject 400 using the thermal sensor 130 (step S334) and determineswhether the temperature is equal to or higher than the threshold (stepS335). If so, the power transmission control circuitry 150 transmits asignal indicating the presence of the metal foreign object 400 to themobile object 200 through the communication circuit 170 (step S336).Upon receiving the signal (step S337), the mobile object 200 movescloser to the power transmitting coil 110 and performs the operation forremoving a foreign object (step S338). As described above, the operationfor removing a foreign object can be an operation in which, for example,the metal foreign object 400 is swept away by a wiper or a brashprovided on the bottom surface of the mobile object 200, the metalforeign object 400 is blown away by a strong wind, or the metal foreignobject 400 is sucked in. After the operation for removing a foreignobject is completed, the non-contact charging described in the firstembodiment is performed (step S339).

FIG. 21 is a flowchart illustrating another example of the operationaccording to the present embodiment. In this example, the powertransmitting device 100 includes the foreign object removal mechanismand performs the operation for removing the metal foreign object 400.Steps S341 to S345 are the same as steps S331 to S335, respectively,illustrated in FIG. 20. If the metal foreign object 400 is detected, thepower transmission control circuitry 150, in step S346, causes theforeign object removal mechanism to perform the operation for removing aforeign object (step S346). As described above, the operation forremoving a foreign object can be an operation in which, for example, themetal foreign object 400 is swept away by a wiper or a brash provided onthe bottom surface of the mobile object 200, the metal foreign object400 is blown away by a strong wind, or the cover member 112 of the powertransmitting coil 110 is tilted. After the metal foreign object 400 isremoved, the power transmission control circuitry 150 transmits a signalindicating that the metal foreign object 400 has been removed (stepS347). Upon receiving the signal (step S348), the non-contact chargingstarts (step S349).

FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating yet another example of the operationaccording to the present embodiment. Steps S351 to S358 in this exampleare the same as steps S331 to S338, respectively, in the exampleillustrated in FIG. 20. A difference is that, in this example, themobile object 200, in step S359, detects presence or absence of a metalforeign object 400 after performing the operation for removing a foreignobject. A metal foreign object 400 might not be completely removed witha single operation for removing a foreign object. In this example,therefore, presence or absence of a metal foreign object 400 is checkedafter the operation for removing a foreign object, and if the metalforeign object 400 has not been removed, the mobile object 200 performsthe operation for removing a foreign object again (step S360). Themobile object 200 detects the metal foreign object 400 by, for example,measuring the efficiency of power transmission. A trial powertransmission operation is performed after the operation for removing aforeign object, and if transmission efficiency is significantly lowerthan an efficiency in a normal operation, it is determined that there isthe metal foreign object 400. If it is confirmed in step S360 that themetal foreign object 400 has been received, the non-contact charging isperformed (step S361). If it is determined in step S360 there is themetal foreign object 400 even after steps S358 to S360 are repeated aplurality of times, the power reception control circuitry 230 or thepower transmission control circuitry 150 may transmit a signalindicating that it is difficult to remove the metal foreign object 400to another device registered in advance, such as a smartphone. As aresult, a person concerned can be notified of the presence of the metalforeign object 400.

FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating yet another example of the operationaccording to the present embodiment. Steps S371 to S377 in this exampleare the same as steps S351 to S357, respectively, in the exampleillustrated in FIG. 22. In this example, the power transmitting device100 performs the operation for removing a foreign object and thenperforms an operation for detecting the metal foreign object 400. Thepower transmitting device 100 repeats the operation for removing aforeign object until the metal foreign object 400 is completed removed(steps S378 to S380). The determination in steps S379 and S380 as towhether the metal foreign object 400 has been completely removed can bemade, as described above, on the basis of a decrease in the efficiencyof power transmission. After the removal of the metal foreign object 400is confirmed, the power transmitting device 100 transmits a signalindicating the completion of the removal of the metal foreign object 400to the mobile object 200 (step S381). After the mobile object 200receives the signal (step S382), the non-contact charging is performed(step S383). If it is determined in step S380 that there is the metalforeign object 400 even after steps S378 to S380 are performed aplurality of times, the power transmission control circuitry 150 maytransmit a signal indicating that it is difficult to remove the metalforeign object 400 to another device registered in advance, such as asmartphone. As a result, a person concerned can be notified of thepresence of the metal foreign object 400. The power transmission controlcircuitry 150 may thus detect whether the metal foreign object 400 hasbeen actually removed after the power transmitting device 100 performsthe operation for removing a foreign object, and transmit a signalindicating a result of the detection to another device.

Although either the power transmitting device 100 or the mobile object200 performs the operation for detecting a foreign object in theexamples illustrated in FIGS. 20 to 23, both the power transmittingdevice 100 and the mobile object 200 may perform the operation fordetecting a foreign object. An example of such an operation will bedescribed hereinafter.

FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating yet another example of the operationaccording to the present embodiment. Steps S401 to S410 are the same assteps S351 to S360, respectively, in the example illustrated in FIG. 22.In this example, first, the mobile object 200 performs the operation forremoving a foreign object (step S408). The power reception controlcircuitry 230 of the mobile object 200 then checks whether the metalforeign object 400 has been actually removed (steps S409 and S410). Ifthe metal foreign object 400 has not been removed, the mobile object 200transmits a signal indicating that the metal foreign object 400 has notbeen removed, and the power transmitting device 100 performs theoperation for removing a foreign object (step S411). The powertransmitting device 100 then checks whether the metal foreign object 400has been actually removed (steps S412 and S413). If the metal foreignobject 400 has been removed, the non-contact charging starts (stepS414). If the metal foreign object 400 has not been removed, the powertransmission control circuitry 150 transmits, to another device, asignal (warning) indicating that the metal foreign object 400 has notbeen removed (step S415). The metal foreign object 400 is then manuallyremoved.

FIG. 25 is a diagram illustrating yet another example of the operationaccording to the present embodiment. In this example, first, the powertransmitting device 100 performs the operation for removing a foreignobject (step S428). If the metal foreign object 400 has not beenremoved, the mobile object 200 performs the operation for removing aforeign object (step S431). If the metal foreign object 400 has not beenremoved as a result of the operation for removing a foreign objectperformed by the mobile object 200 (YES in step S433), the powertransmitting device 100 transmits a warning to another device (stepS435). The other steps are the same as in the operation illustrated inFIG. 24.

As indicated in the examples illustrated in FIGS. 24 and 25, the powertransmitting device 100 and the mobile object 200 can each include aforeign object removal mechanism. If a measured surface temperature ofthe metal foreign object 400 is equal to or higher than the threshold,the power transmission control circuitry 150 of the power transmittingdevice 100 causes the foreign object removal mechanism of either thepower transmitting device 100 or the mobile object 200 to perform theoperation for removing a foreign object. After the operation forremoving a foreign object is performed, the power transmission controlcircuitry 150 detects whether the metal foreign object 400 has beenactually removed. If the metal foreign object 400 has not been removed,the power transmission control circuitry 150 of the power transmittingdevice 100 causes the foreign object removal mechanism of the other ofthe power transmitting device 100 and the mobile object 200 to performanother operation for removing a foreign object. As a result of thisoperation, the metal foreign object 400 can be removed more certainly.

FIG. 26 is a diagram illustrating yet another example of the operationaccording to the present embodiment. In this example, if the surfacetemperature of the metal foreign object 400 is equal to or higher thanthe threshold, the power transmission control circuitry 150 transmits,to another device (e.g., a smartphone, an automotive navigation system,or the server computer in the monitoring room), information regardingthe position of the metal foreign object 400 on the power transmittingcoil 110 (step S446). Upon receiving the information, the other devicedisplays an image indicating the position of the metal foreign object400 on the power transmitting coil 110 on a display (step S447). As aresult, a user or the caretaker can understand the presence of the metalforeign object 400 and the position of the metal foreign object 400 onthe power transmitting coil 110. In this example, the user can issue aninstruction to turn off the power transmitting device 100 or reduceoutput power through the other device such as a smartphone or anautomotive navigation system. Upon receiving the instruction in stepS448, the other device transmits, to the power transmitting device 100,a signal indicating that the power transmitting device 100 is to turnoff or that output power is to be reduced (step S449). Upon receivingthe signal, the power transmission control circuitry 150 of the powertransmitting device 100 turns off (stop outputting power) or reducesoutput power (step S450). As a result, the metal foreign object 400 isno longer heated. The metal foreign object 400 is then removed manually(step S451).

FIG. 27 is a diagram illustrating yet another example of the operationaccording to the present embodiment. In the operation in this example,as in the operation illustrated in FIG. 22, the mobile object 200performs the operation for removing a foreign object. A difference fromthe example illustrated in FIG. 22 is that the power transmitting device100 transmits information regarding the position of the metal foreignobject 400 on the power transmitting coil 110 to the mobile object 200(step S486), and the mobile object 200 aligns the power receiving coil210 with the power transmitting coil 110 (steps S488 and S489), performsthe operation for removing a foreign object on the basis of theinformation regarding the position of the metal foreign object 400 onthe power transmitting coil 110 (step S490), and, if the metal foreignobject 400 has not been removed, transmits a warning to another device(step S494). Steps S481 to S486, S491, S492, and S493 are the same ascorresponding steps illustrated in FIG. 22. The alignment of the powerreceiving coil 210 with the power transmitting coil 110 performed insteps S488 and S489 is an operation in which the mobile object 200 movesto face the power receiving coil 210 and the power transmitting coil 110with each other. As a result, in subsequent step S490, the metal foreignobject 400 can be easily removed on the basis of the informationregarding the position of the metal foreign object 400 on the powertransmitting coil 110. The foreign object removal mechanism of themobile object 200 can remove the metal foreign object 400 more certainlyby carefully sweeping or sucking in in an area in which the metalforeign object 400 is expected to be located.

FIG. 28 is a diagram illustrating yet another example of the operationaccording to the present embodiment. In this example, the powertransmitting device 100, not the mobile object 200, removes the metalforeign object 400 on the basis of positional information (step S510).The other steps are the same as in the operation illustrated in FIG. 27.In this example, the foreign object mechanism of the power transmittingdevice 100 carefully performs, on the basis of the information regardingthe position of the metal foreign object 400 on the power transmittingcoil 110, the operation for removing a foreign object in an area inwhich the metal foreign object 400 is expected to be located. As aresult, the metal foreign object 400 can be removed more certainly.

FIG. 29 is a diagram illustrating yet another example of the operationaccording to the present embodiment. In this example, both the powertransmitting device 100 and the mobile object 200 perform the operationfor removing a foreign object. First, the mobile object 200 performs theoperation for removing a foreign object that is the same as that in theexample illustrated in FIG. 27 (step S530). If the metal foreign object400 has not been removed as a result of the operation (YES in stepS531), the power transmitting device 100 performs the operation forremoving a foreign object on the basis of the information (step S532).If the metal foreign object 400 has not been removed, the powertransmitting device 100 transmits a warning to another device (stepS535). The other steps are the same as corresponding steps illustratedin FIG. 27.

FIG. 30 is a diagram illustrating yet another example of the operationaccording to the present embodiment. In this example, too, both thepower transmitting device 100 and the mobile object 200 perform theoperation for removing a foreign object. First, the power transmittingdevice 100 performs the operation for removing a foreign object that isthe same as that in the example illustrated in FIG. 28 (step S560). Ifthe metal foreign object 400 has not been removed as a result of thisoperation (YES in step S561), the mobile object 200 performs theoperation for removing a foreign object on the basis of positionalinformation (step S562). If the metal foreign object 400 has not beenremoved, the mobile object 200 transmits a warning to another device(step S565). The other steps are the same as corresponding stepsillustrated in FIG. 28.

As described above, in the present embodiment, after the thermal sensor130 detects a metal foreign object 400, a signal indicating the presenceof the metal foreign object 400 is transmitted to a device other thanthe power transmitting device 100. As a result, for example, the mobileobject 200 can remove the metal foreign object 400, or the metal foreignobject 400 can be manually removed. As described above, the powertransmitting device 100 and the mobile object 200 can complementarilyperform the operation for removing a foreign object. In this case, themetal foreign object 400 can be certainly removed.

As described above, the present disclosure includes a wireless powertransmission apparatus described in the following items.

Item 1

A method for detecting a metal foreign object using a power transmissiondevice, the power transmission device including:

an inverter that generates power;

a power transmitting coil for outputting power to a power receiving coilincluded in a mobile object;

a thermal sensor that measures a surface temperature of the metalforeign object on the power transmitting coil; and

a power transmission control circuitry that causes the inverter tocontrols the power output from the power transmitting coil;

the method comprising causing the power transmission control circuitryto:

cause the power transmitting coil to output the power before the powerreceiving coil and the power transmitting coil are electromagneticallycoupled with each other and the mobile object overlaps the powertransmitting coil;

cause the thermal sensor to measure the surface temperature of the metalforeign object; and

transmit, if the measured surface temperature of the metal foreignobject is equal to or higher than a threshold, a signal indicatingpresence of the metal foreign object from the power transmitting deviceto another receiving apparatus, other than the power transmittingdevice, having a function of receiving the signal.

Item 2

The method according to Item 1,

in which the power output from the power transmitting coil includesfirst power for detecting the metal foreign object and second power tobe transmitted from the power transmitting coil to the power receivingcoil,

in which the first power is smaller than the second power,

in which the power transmitting coil is caused to output the first powerbefore the mobile object overlaps the power transmitting coil,

in which the thermal sensor is caused to measure the surface temperatureof the metal foreign object while the first power is being output, andin which, if the measured surface temperature of the metal foreignobject is equal to or higher than the threshold, the power transmittingcoil is caused to reduce the output power or stop outputting the power.

Item 3

The method according to Item 1 or 2, further including:

causing, if the metal foreign object is not detected, the powertransmitting coil to output second power after the mobile object reachesthe position at which the power receiving coil and the powertransmitting coil are electromagnetically coupled with each other.

Item 4

The method according to any of Items 1 to 3,

in which the power transmitting device further includes a positionsensor that measures a distance between the mobile object and the powertransmitting coil or a position of the mobile object, and

in which it is determined that the mobile object does not overlap thepower transmitting coil on the basis of a result of the measurementperformed by the position sensor.

Item 5

A power transmitting device including:

a power transmitting coil for outputting power to a power receivingcoil;

a thermal sensor that measures a surface temperature of a metal foreignobject on the power transmitting coil; and

a power transmission control circuitry that controls the power outputfrom the power transmitting coil,

in which the power transmission control circuitry performs operationsincluding

causing the power transmitting coil to output the power before a mobileobject including the power receiving coil reaches a position at whichthe power receiving coil and the power transmitting coil areelectromagnetically coupled with each other and the mobile objectincluding the power receiving coil overlaps the power transmitting coil,

causing the thermal sensor to measure the surface temperature of themetal foreign object, and

causing, if the measured surface temperature of the metal foreign objectis equal to or higher than a threshold, the power transmitting coil toreduce the output power or stop outputting the power.

Item 6

The power transmitting device according to Item 5,

in which the power output from the power transmitting coil includesfirst power for detecting the metal foreign object and second power tobe transmitted from the power transmitting coil to the power receivingcoil,

in which the first power is smaller than the second power, and

in which the power transmission control circuitry performs operationsincluding

causing the power transmitting coil to output the first power before themobile object overlaps the power transmitting coil,

causing the thermal sensor to measure the surface temperature of themetal foreign object while the first power is being output, and

causing, if the measured surface temperature of the metal foreign objectis equal to or higher than the threshold, the power transmitting coil toreduce the output power or stop outputting the power.

Item 7

The power transmitting device according to Item 5 or 6,

in which, if the metal foreign object is not detected, the powertransmission control circuitry causes the power transmitting coil tooutput the second power after the mobile object reaches the position atwhich the power receiving coil and the power transmitting coil areelectromagnetically coupled with each other.

Item 8

The power transmitting device according to any of Items 5 to 7, furtherincluding:

a position sensor that measures a distance between the mobile object andthe power transmitting coil or a position of the mobile object,

in which the power transmission control circuitry determines that themobile object does not overlap the power transmitting coil on the basisof a result of the measurement performed by the position sensor.

Item 9

A method for detecting a metal foreign object using a power transmissiondevice, the power transmission device including:

an inverter that generates power;

a power transmitting coil for outputting power to a power receiving coilincluded in a mobile object;

a thermal sensor that measures a surface temperature of the metalforeign object on the power transmitting coil; and

a power transmission control circuitry that causes the inverter tocontrols the power output from the power transmitting coil;

the method comprising causing the power transmission control circuitryto: cause the power transmitting coil to output the power before thepower receiving coil and the power transmitting coil areelectromagnetically coupled with each other and the mobile objectoverlaps the power transmitting coil;

cause the thermal sensor to measure the surface temperature of the metalforeign object; and

transmit, if the measured surface temperature of the metal foreignobject is equal to or higher than a threshold, a signal indicatingpresence of the metal foreign object from the power transmitting deviceto another receiving apparatus, other than the power transmittingdevice, having a function of receiving the signal.

Item 10

The method according to Item 9,

in which the signal indicating the presence of the metal foreign objectincludes positional information regarding the metal foreign object.

Item 11

The method according to Item 9 or 10,

in which the power output from the power transmitting coil includesfirst power for detecting the metal foreign object and second power tobe transmitted from the power transmitting coil to the power receivingcoil,

in which the first power is smaller than the second power,

in which the power transmitting coil is caused to output the first powerbefore the mobile object overlaps the power transmitting coil, and

in which the thermal sensor is caused to measure the surface temperatureof the metal foreign object while the first power is being output.

Item 12

The method according to any of Items 9 to 11,

in which the power transmitting device further includes a positionsensor that measures a distance between the mobile object and the powertransmitting coil or a position of the mobile object, and

in which it is determined that the power receiving coil does not overlapthe power transmitting coil on the basis of a result of the measurementperformed by the position sensor.

Item 13

The method according to any of Items 9 to 12,

in which the other receiving apparatus is an information deviceinstalled in the mobile object, an information device carried by a userof the mobile object or a caretaker, or a control device that controlsthe power transmitting device.

Item 14

The method according to any of Items 9 to 13,

in which the other receiving apparatus includes an automotive navigationsystem, a smartphone, a tablet computer, a vehicle, a robot, or acontroller included in a control device that controls the powertransmitting device.

Item 15

The method according to any of Items 9 to 14,

in which at least either the power transmitting device or the mobileobject includes a foreign object removal mechanism, and

in which, if the measured surface temperature of the metal foreignobject is equal to or higher than the threshold, the foreign objectremoval mechanism of at least either the power transmitting device orthe mobile object is caused to perform an operation for removing aforeign object.

Item 16

The method according to any of Items 9 to 15,

in which, after the operation for removing a foreign object isperformed, whether the metal foreign object has been actually removed isdetected, and a signal indicating a result of the detection istransmitted to the other receiving apparatus.

Item 17

The method according to any of Item 9 to 16,

in which the power transmitting device and the mobile object eachinclude a foreign object removal mechanism,

in which, if the measured surface temperature of the metal foreignobject is equal to or higher than the threshold, the foreign objectremoval mechanism of the power transmitting device or the mobile objectis caused to perform an operation for removing a foreign object,

in which, after the operation for removing a foreign object isperformed, whether the metal foreign object has been actually removed isdetected, and

in which, if the metal foreign object has not been removed, the foreignobject removal mechanism of the other of the power transmitting deviceand the mobile object is caused to perform another operation forremoving a foreign object.

Item 18

The method according to any of Items 9 to 17,

in which, if the detected surface temperature of the metal foreignobject is equal to or higher than the threshold, the power transmittingcoil is caused to reduce the output power or stop outputting the power.

Item 19

The method according to any of Items 9 to 18,

in which, after the power transmitting device transmits a first signalindicating the presence of the metal foreign object to the otherreceiving apparatus, the other receiving apparatus receives the firstsignal and transmits, to the power transmitting device, a second signalfor reducing the power or stopping outputting the power,

in which, upon receiving the second signal, the power transmittingdevice reduces the power or stops outputting the power, and

in which, after the power transmitting device transmits the first signalindicating the presence of the metal foreign object to the otherreceiving apparatus and receives, from the other receiving apparatus, aninstruction to reduce the power output from the power transmitting coilor stop outputting the power from the power transmitting coil, the powertransmitting device causes the power transmitting coil to reduce theoutput power or stop outputting the power.

Item 20

A power transmitting device comprising:

an inverter that generates power;

a power transmitting coil that transmits the power wirelessly to a powerreceiving coil included in a power receiving device in a mobile object;

a thermal sensor that measures a surface temperature of a metal foreignobject on the power transmitting coil; and

a power transmission control circuitry that causes the inverter tocontrol the power output from the power transmitting coil,

causes the power transmitting coil to output the power before the powerreceiving coil and the power transmitting coil are electromagneticallycoupled with each other and the mobile object overlaps the powertransmitting coil,

causes the thermal sensor to measure the surface temperature of themetal foreign object, and

transmits, if the measured surface temperature of the metal foreignobject is equal to or higher than a threshold, a signal indicatingpresence of the metal foreign object from the power transmitting deviceto another receiving apparatus, other than the power transmittingdevice, having a function of receiving the signal.

Item 21

A method for detecting a metal foreign object using a power transmissiondevice, the power transmission device including:

an inverter that generates power;

a power transmitting coil for outputting power to a power receiving coilincluded in a mobile object;

a thermal sensor that detects a surface temperature of the metal foreignobject on the power transmitting coil;

a foreign object removal mechanism; and

a power transmission control circuitry that causes the inverter tocontrols the power output from the power transmitting coil;

the method comprising causing the power transmission control circuitryto:

cause the power transmitting coil to output the power before the powerreceiving coil and the power transmitting coil are electromagneticallycoupled with each other and the mobile object overlaps the powertransmitting coil;

cause the thermal sensor to measure the surface temperature of the metalforeign object; and

causing, if the measured surface temperature of the metal foreign objectis equal to or higher than a threshold, the foreign object removalmechanism to perform an operation for removing a foreign object.

Item 22

The method according to Item 21,

in which, after the operation for removing a foreign object isperformed, whether the metal foreign object has been actually removed isdetected, and a signal indicating a result of the detection istransmitted to another receiving apparatus other than the powertransmitting device.

The techniques in the present disclosure can be applied to any case inwhich power is wirelessly supplied to a mobile object such as a vehicle.For example, the techniques in the present disclosure can be used tosupply power to a mobile object on a road or in a parking lot or afactory.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for detecting a metal foreign objectusing a power transmission device, the power transmission deviceincluding: an inverter that generates power; a power transmitting coilfor outputting power to a power receiving coil included in a mobileobject; a thermal sensor that measures a surface temperature of themetal foreign object on the power transmitting coil; and a powertransmission control circuitry that causes the inverter to controls thepower output from the power transmitting coil; the method comprisingcausing the power transmission control circuitry to: cause the powertransmitting coil to output the power before the power receiving coiland the power transmitting coil are electromagnetically coupled witheach other and the mobile object overlaps the power transmitting coil;cause the thermal sensor to measure the surface temperature of the metalforeign object; and transmit, if the measured surface temperature of themetal foreign object is equal to or higher than a threshold, a signalindicating presence of the metal foreign object from the powertransmitting device to another receiving apparatus, other than the powertransmitting device, having a function of receiving the signal.
 2. Themethod according to claim 1, wherein the signal indicating the presenceof the metal foreign object includes positional information regardingthe metal foreign object.
 3. The method according to claim 1, whereinthe power output from the power receiving coil includes first power fordetecting the metal foreign object and second power to be transmittedfrom the power transmitting coil to the power receiving coil, whereinthe first power is smaller than the second power, wherein the powertransmitting coil is caused to output the first power before the mobileobject including the power receiving coil overlaps the powertransmitting coil, and wherein the thermal sensor is caused to measurethe surface temperature of the metal foreign object while the firstpower is being output.
 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein thepower transmitting device further includes a position sensor thatmeasures a distance between the mobile object and the power transmittingcoil or a position of the mobile object, and wherein it is determined onthe basis of a result of the measurement performed by the positionsensor that the power receiving coil does not overlap the powertransmitting coil.
 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the otherreceiving apparatus is an information device installed in the mobileobject, an information device carried by a user of the mobile object ora caretaker, or a control device that controls the power transmittingdevice.
 6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the other receivingapparatus includes an automotive navigation system, a smartphone, atablet computer, a vehicle, a robot, or a controller included in acontrol device that controls the power transmitting device.
 7. Themethod according to claim 1, wherein at least either the powertransmitting device or the mobile object includes a foreign objectremoval mechanism, and wherein, if the measured surface temperature ofthe metal foreign object is equal to or higher than the threshold, theforeign object removal mechanism of at least either the powertransmitting device or the mobile object is caused to perform anoperation for removing a foreign object.
 8. The method according toclaim 7, wherein, after the operation for removing a foreign object isperformed, whether the metal foreign object has been actually removed isdetected, and a signal indicating a result of the detection istransmitted to the other receiving apparatus.
 9. The method according toclaim 7, wherein the power transmitting device and the mobile objecteach include a foreign object removal mechanism, wherein, if themeasured surface temperature of the metal foreign object is equal tohigher than the threshold, one of the foreign object removal mechanismof the power transmitting device and the mobile object is caused toperform the operation for removing a foreign object, wherein, after theoperation for removing a foreign object is performed, whether the metalforeign object has been actually removed is detected, and wherein, ifthe metal foreign object has not been removed, the other foreign objectremoval mechanism of the power transmitting device and the mobile objectis caused to perform another operation for removing a foreign object.10. The method according to claim 1, wherein, if the measured surfacetemperature of the metal foreign object is equal to or higher than thethreshold, the power transmitting coil is caused to reduce the power orstop outputting the power.
 11. The method according to claim 1, wherein,after the power transmitting device transmits a first signal indicatingthe presence of the metal foreign object to the receiving apparatus, thereceiving apparatus receives the first signal and transmits, to thepower transmitting device, a second signal for reducing the power orstopping outputting the power, and wherein, upon receiving the secondsignal, the power transmitting device reduces the power or stopsoutputting the power.
 12. A power transmitting device comprising: aninverter that generates power; a power transmitting coil that transmitsthe power wirelessly to a power receiving coil included in a powerreceiving device in a mobile object; a thermal sensor that measures asurface temperature of a metal foreign object on the power transmittingcoil; and a power transmission control circuitry that causes theinverter to control the power output from the power transmitting coil,causes the power transmitting coil to output the power before the powerreceiving coil and the power transmitting coil are electromagneticallycoupled with each other and the mobile object overlaps the powertransmitting coil, causes the thermal sensor to measure the surfacetemperature of the metal foreign object, and transmits, if the measuredsurface temperature of the metal foreign object is equal to or higherthan a threshold, a signal indicating presence of the metal foreignobject from the power transmitting device to another receivingapparatus, other than the power transmitting device, having a functionof receiving the signal.
 13. A method for detecting a metal foreignobject using a power transmission device, the power transmission deviceincluding: an inverter that generates power; a power transmitting coilfor outputting power to a power receiving coil included in a mobileobject; a thermal sensor that detects a surface temperature of the metalforeign object on the power transmitting coil; a foreign object removalmechanism; and a power transmission control circuitry that causes theinverter to controls the power output from the power transmitting coil;the method comprising causing the power transmission control circuitryto: cause the power transmitting coil to output the power before thepower receiving coil and the power transmitting coil areelectromagnetically coupled with each other and the mobile objectoverlaps the power transmitting coil; cause the thermal sensor tomeasure the surface temperature of the metal foreign object; andcausing, if the measured surface temperature of the metal foreign objectis equal to or higher than a threshold, the foreign object removalmechanism to perform an operation for removing a foreign object.
 14. Themethod according to claim 13, wherein, after the operation for removinga foreign object is performed, whether the metal foreign object has beenactually removed is detected, and a signal indicating a result of thedetection is transmitted to the receiving apparatus other than the powertransmitting device.